Adrenocortical function and plasma biochemical values in dogs after subconjunctival treatment with methylprednisolone acetate.

ABSTRACT

The effects of subconjunctivally administered methylprednisolone acetate on adrenocortical function and blood composition were studied in five dogs. Two 10 mg doses of methylprednisolone acetate were injected at an interval of 21 days. Plasma cortisol concentrations (COR), ACTH-stimulated cortisol concentrations and other blood components were determined regularly. The normal plasma COR (5.7 +/- 2.62 ng/ml) was one of the lowest reported in the literature for the dog, possibly because of the specificity of the high performance liquid chromatographic assay and the experimental environment. Plasma COR was depressed only after the first administration of methylprednisolone acetate. ACTH stimulated COR was significantly depressed nine and 20 days after the first and second subconjunctival injection respectively. Otherwise blood composition was unchanged.